brain dump / notes & rabbit holes

things i spent too long researching

7 entries

My Ultralight Backpacking Base Kit

Getting a 3-season base weight under 10 lbs without going broke or sleeping miserably. The big three plus what I cut.

Replaced three SaaS subscriptions with a fanless mini PC running Docker. Here's the stack, the gotchas, and whether it's worth it.

Chemical SPF that doesn't pill, doesn't sting your eyes, and actually feels good. My daily-driver picks ranked.

A no-stress first week in Tokyo, grouped by neighborhood so you're not zig-zagging across the city. Plus what to skip.

Tested 5 filters for chlorine removal, pressure, and filter life. AquaBliss SF100 wins for most people.

You don't need to spend $350 for good active noise cancelling. Three picks under $120 that punch way above their price.

After the 2023 price hike, the JR Pass math changed. A quick break-even guide so you don't overpay for trains you won't take.